The ‘Acquisition Exhibition’ at the Bridgehampton Museum

Although the Bridgehampton Museum has had several iterations, it has come to life in just the last few years and is newly creating itself. With a new executive director, Connor Flanagan, and a new collections manager Tim Malyk, and thanks to a strong endowment by the artists Helen and Claus Hoie who left a substantial number of works as well, much is happening to signal a blossoming.

With the start of the Hoies’ artwork as the permanent collection, the Bridgehampton Museum recognized an opportunity to expand and create a permanent collection that reflects the current times and community.

As part of its mission to encourage cultural and active participation, as well as staying true to its historical mandate, the museum reached out to artists — either those who are local or those with some affiliation to the area — and invited them to participate in the “Bridgehampton Museum Acquisition Exhibition.”

More than 40 artists are participating in this exhibition, which opens on Saturday, May 10, with a reception from 1 to 3 p.m. and remains on view through May 30. Though the works on view range in value from a few thousand dollars to over $30,000, the real goal of the project is to create a serious permanent collection by eminent artists and foster a sense of participation and community. The collection will serve to familiarize museum visitors with current art practices and introduce them to the artists whose work is in it. Talks, studio visits and more are in the works, along with a comprehensive exhibition program.

In addition, with the support of Skira Books, publishers of many monographs and cultural books, the museum is creating Skira Corner within its new gift shop, where visitors will be able to purchase the publisher’s books. The shop will also feature museum merchandise along with “Artist Limited Editions” featuring the work of artists in the collection, beginning with Helen Hoie, Joel Perlman, David Humphrey and Debbie Ma. These editions will expand with future exhibitions. The gift shop will have its opening along with the “Acquisition Exhibition” on May 10.

The “Bridgehampton Museum Acquisition Exhibition” runs Saturday, May 10, to Friday, May 30, and is on view Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the museum’s’ Nathaniel Rogers House, 2539 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton. Admission is free. For details, visit bridgehamptonmuseum.org.